World Suicide Prevention Day

If you´re having a hard time right now and maybe even thinking about ending your life, remember: you are not alone. Most people have been where you are now, but it will get better. There are people out there who love you, need you and care for you, so many things you still can accomplish in your life and so many experiences you would miss. Emotions aren’t fixed, but constantly changing, so you will feel better soon.

What can you do if you want to commit suicide? Promise yourself not to do anything drastic right now, to get some distance to your suicidal feelings. Promise yourself “I will not do anything drastic during the next 24 hours.” Or wait a week. Avoid drugs and alcohol. Your thoughts will only become stronger when you take those. Make your home safe. Remove everything you could use to hurt yourself, like knives or scissors. If that’s impossible go to a place where you feel safe. The most important thing is to talk. Tell someone you trust, like friends, family or a therapist, about your feelings and thoughts. Talking will help to release the pressure in your head and will make you feel better. There is nothing embarrassing about it! You can also call the suicide helpline from your country, they´re written in the description of this post.

What can you do if you think that someone thinks about killing themselves? Don’t be afraid to talk to them. It is one of the most compassionate acts you can do to help them and won´t make them want to hurt themselves more. Instead, it shows them that you care about them. If they open up to you, listen to them nonjudgmentally and offer them hope, love and support. Don’t leave them alone and remove everything they could use to hurt themselves, like guns, plastic bags, anything with blades or medication (even those you think are harmless, as everything is dangerous as an overdose). Offer them help, such as taking them to a professional or calling a helpline for them. Give them alternatives. You can find more information in my sources. If you feel like theyre in immediate danger, call the police that you have a mental health emergency or take the person to a hospital. DO NOT LEAVE THEM ALONE!!!

In 2019, Suicide was the 17th leading cause of death with 1.3% of all deaths officially occurring from it. More than 700 000 people end their own lives every year. That makes one suicide every 40 seconds. And that doesn’t even include the failed attempts, as for every suicide there are 20 failed ones, or unclear cases, like doubtful traffic accidents. Over 75% of the victims are male, even though the most attempts are from females. Every human is usually affected by six suicides in his environment during his lifetime and That’s why since 2003 the 10. September is called World suicide prevention day, which offers multiple events about suicide prevention. This day is about educating people about suicide and raise awareness to signs, so that hopefully more suicides can be prevented. This year the day is under the theme “Raise hope trough action”.

The 10th September is World suicide prevention day, because even though more than 700 000 people per year die because of suicide it is still a taboo subject in society. If you´re looking to learn more about this subject this post is for you, but please keep in mind that this can be a very triggering subject.

If you´re thinking about ending your life, please consider calling the suicide helpline of your country! They´re listed below!

Algeria: 0021 3983 2000 58; Argentina: (54-11) 4758-2554; Armenia: (2) 538194; Australia: 131114; Austria: 142; Bahamas: (2) 322-2763; Bangladesh: 999; Barbados: (246) 4299999 Belgium: 1813; Bolivia: 3911270; Bosnia & Herzegovina: 080 05 03 05; Botswana: 3911270; Brazil: 188; Bulgaria: 0035 9249 17 223; Canada: 1 (833) 456 4566; China: 800-810-1117 Colombia: Baranquilla: 1(00 57 5) 372 27 27 Bogota: (57-1) 323 24 25; Croatia: 112; Cyprus: 8000 7773; Czech Republic: 112; Denmark: 4570201201; Egypt: 122; Estonia: 3726558088; in Russian 3726555688; Finland: 010 195 202; France: 0145394000; Germany: 08001810771; Ghana: 2332 444 71279; Greece: 1018; Guyana: 223-0001; Holland: 09000767; Hong Kong: 852 2382 0000; Hungary: 116123; India: 8888817666; Indonesia: 1-800-273-8255; Iran: 1480; Ireland: +4408457909090; Israel: 1201; Italy: 800860022; Jamaica: 1-888-429-KARE (5273); Japan: 810352869090; Jordan: 110; Latvia: 371 67222922; Lebanon: 1564; Liberia: 6534308; Luxembourg: 352 45 45 45; Malaysia: (06) 2842500; Malta: 179; Mauritius: +230 800 93 93 ; Mexico: 5255102550; Netherlands: 900 0113; New Zealand: 1737; Nigeria: 234 8092106493; Norway: +4781533300; Pakistan: 115; Philippines: 028969191; Poland: 5270000; Portugal: 21 854 07 40 and 8 96 898 21 50; Romania: 0800 801200; Russia: 0078202577577; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: 9784) 456 1044; Saudi Arabia: 112; Serbia: (+381) 21-6623-393; Singapore: 1 800 2214444; Spain: 914590050; South Africa: 0514445691; South Korea: (02) 7158600; Sri Lanka: 011 057 2222662; Sudan: (249) 11-555-253; Sweden: 46317112400; Switzerland: 143; Thailand: (02) 713-6793; Tonga: 23000; Trinidad and Tobago: (868) 645 2800; Turkey: 112; United Arab Emirates: 800 46342; United Kingdom: 0800 689 5652; United States: (800) 273-8255